ORONO - Ahead of its big matchup with James Madison this Saturday, the Maine Black Bears received a shot of confidence.

The Black Bears were ranked 22nd in the Athlon Sports FCS rankings for the first time this season, on the heels of their 60-12 win against Bryant. Maine's opponent in Week 4, JMU, sits atop the poll as defending national champions. Maine lost to New Hampshire in Week 1, and the Wildcats come in at No. 16.

...UMaine practiced twice last week, lifted three times and watched some JMU video.

“You can tend to focus on the physical aspects but we also wanted to stay mentally sharp,” said UMaine second-year head coach Joe Harasymiak during Monday’s weekly Colonial Athletic Association conference call.

“We’re excited about going on the road and playing the team that’s on top of our league right now,” said Harasymiak.

ORONO, MAINE (WABI)- UMaine football takes on the top ranked FCS team in the nation this weekend at James Madison.

An interesting tweet tonight as they gear up to play. Suspended star wide receiver Micah Wright tweeted this evening, “Number 10 is back baby,” with a series of exclamation points. The school says they have "no new information" tonight. Micah did confirm he believes he's cleared to play. UMaine players responded to Micah's tweet with tweets of excitement. Wright has been suspended since fall camp started. He was named preseason All-CAA. He was first team All-Conference last year as a sophomore. We'll keep you posted on the situation as it develops.

Maine football focusing on defense ahead of game at No. 1 James Madison

ORONO - Maine football has shown its flaws early this season, but it has also made noise across the FCS.The Black Bears will have their chance to prove that they are for real Saturday in what will no doubt be their toughest game of the year against No. 1, James Madison.

“So mentally we all have to accept that it’s not going to be anything easy,” head coach Joe Harasymiak said.

“Their quarterback (Bryan Schor) is one of the most accurate passers I’ve seen,” said Harasymiak.

On the injury front, UMaine expects to regain the services of senior safety DeAndre Scott, who suffered a head injury in the 24-23 loss to New Hampshire and underwent concussion protocol. He didn’t play in the 60-12 victory over Bryant (Rhode Island) on Sept. 9.

Scott had a 61-yard kickoff return against JMU last year.

“This is the healthiest we’ve been. We’re good to go,” said Harasymiak.

ORONO, MAINE (WABI) - The suspension is over for UMaine football player Micah Wright. Wright was asked to leave the team in August after an off campus incident from which two of his teammates were also suspended.

ORONO - Micah Wright was arguably the University of Maine's most dynamic threat on the gridiron last year, but staying on it has proved to be a problem. The star receiver and punt returner was suspended alongside two other teammates to start the year as a result of a student complaint and has missed the entire season, following up on a two-game suspension that caused him to miss two games in 2016 as well.

.... WHO’S KICKING? Harasymiak said it will be “a game-time decision” as to who will be Maine’s place-kicker against the Dukes.

Freshman Kenny Doak was brought in this year after the Black Bears made just 1 of 7 field goals last season. And while Doak is 3 of 5 in field-goal attempts (with one of the misses blocked), he has missed three PAT kicks – one in the fourth quarter of the opening 24-23 loss at New Hampshire and two blocked in the 60-12 win over Bryant.

Junior Brandon Briggs of Saco and Thornton Academy missed a 39-yard field-goal attempt in the win over Bryant, but connected on his one PAT kick. Briggs handles the kickoffs for the Black Bears.

“We’ll have them both kick again on Friday,” said Harasymiak, who was most concerned about the missed PATs.